Globalization and Tax haven countries : A study on the relationship between globalization and the use of tax havens

Tax havens have long been a subject of concern and were nutritiously used mostly by the rich elite and gangsters. In the wake of the financial crisis in 2008 more light was shed on tax havens and it has become an unanticipated central part of the global economy. This study investigates if globalization has a significant effect on the use of tax havens. The question is analyzed through the lens of fiscal policies and the political economy as well as some further interesting dichotomies and dilemmas. The debate of globalizations and its various effects in the world is still ongoing. While the world economy becomes more mobilized the lack of transparency in countries with higher secrecy becomes more apparent. We measure tax haven activity with foreign direct investment and look at both trade-and financial globalization as well as include a set of key control variables. Using a panel data analysis, we find that globalization has a significant positive effect on tax haven activity. However, in our results we also observe a continuing downward trend in FDI since 2015 which could be indicative of a potential upcoming paradigm shift. Findings in this paper facilitate the understanding of both benefits and concerns with tax havens, it shows how tax havens have been affected by globalization but also an estimation for the uncertain future of tax havens.